Orthodontia appliance.



WITNESSES W. E. WALKER, DECD. 1. M. WALKER, ADMINISTRATOR.

ORTHODONTIA APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION Flu-:11 05c. 30. 1912.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0 PHOTO LITHO- WASHINGTON. D. C

PatentedJune 8, 1915.

l/VVENTOR,

SATE

WILLIAM ERNEST WALKER, 0F NEVI ORLEANS, LOUISIANA; MOR'I WALKER ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID WILLIAM ERNEST WALKER, DECEASED.

ORTHODONTIA APPLIANGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1915.

Application filed December 30, 1912. Serial No. 739,382.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W'ILLIAM: Ennns'r WALKER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Orthodontia Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a division in part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 654,769.

This invention relates to an improved treatment of the teeth, individually or in groups, as for instance by influencing the tooth or teeth for the purpose of correcting e :isting or impending irregularities, either in the immediate tooth treated or in a developing tooth so located as to be improperly influenced by an existing tooth or by abnormal force; or for the purpose of corrooting existing or impendingabnormal facial lines resulting from mal-development or mal-position of the teeth or jaws; also to the treatment of the jaws for the purpose of correcting their relative position and developing proper occlusion.

The invention consists primarily in the art of orthodontia or bringing to bear upon the tooth or teeth to be affected individually,

a force or forces of a relatively light but persistent or continuing character, either for localizing natural forces, such as from occlusion, or by simulating the forces which influence the positioning of the teeth as they develop in nature, as by applying the force or forces such as are produced by light, resilient extensions from a carrying member.

One feature of the present division ofmy invention relates to means for securing anchorage of the device upon the teeth, particularly when, for considerations of hyg'iene, comfort and appearance, carrying bows are to be located out of the horizontal areas of the dental arches so as to overlie the gums. According to this feature of the invention, anchorage for the carrying memher or bow is attained either wholly or par tially by means of a combined positioning and gripping member constructed on the lingual side to embrace the crown of the tooth close to the gum, with connecting members extending across the inter-cuspal notches, and on the buccal orlabial side, gripping ends extending into the embrasures below the bulge; these gripping ends being preferably in the form of claws formed either directly upon the ends of the connect ing members or upon ends which are made to project from an intermediate portion of a closed loop on the gripping side. The embracingportion onthe lingual side of the tooth may likewise consist of a pair of gripping claws extending from the closed loop on that side into the embrasures beneath the approximal bulge; or this embracing portion may be provided by so forming the closed loop itself, that it extends downward and embraces the lingual bulge near the gum. With the gripping claws formed directly upon the connecting members, an anchoring grip is provided-which has an open face on the labia] or buccal side of the tooth which is relatively inconspicuous and correspondingly advantageous, particularly when anchorage is required on anterior teeth. In

either construction of the 'ri in claws the grip is maintained-or released mainly by the resiliency of the claws in a horizontal direction.

Another feature of the present division relates to a means for developing axial rotation of tooth, according to which the tooth is handed and provided at one or more points on the band (preferably at two diametrically opposite points if the axis of the tooth is to remain stationary), with projections suitable to receive resilient pressure' fingers extending from bows or arches, or I extensions thereof, anchored to hold them in appropriate positions; the fingers being given a permanentset in directions to causesomewhat modified embodiment of thein vention in an appliance adaptedto the lower jaw Fig. 3 is a detail view of a form of anchoring grip having gripping claws on both sides; Fig. 4t is a horizontal section of a tooth and an anchoring grip taken in a plane immediately above the gripping claws; Fig. 5 is a front view showing the application of the open-face grip; Fig. 6 is a proximal view of the same; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the same; Figs. 8 and 9 are, respectively, a perspective view and a side elevation of the means for developing rotation in a tooth, and Fig. 10 is a detail view of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents a bow or arch secured. in position by anchoring members 2 and carrying several types of pressure devices, such for instance as the archshaping fingers 3, the arch-shaping how i, the rotating connection 5 and the occlusal bearing finger 5. v

Fig. 2 shows a somewhat differently constructed carrying member 1 adapted to lie well beyond the area of the tooth crowns and doubled upon itself to provide extensions 1 which overlie the gums and are connected to anchorages 2 similar to those of Fig. 1, and also to anchorages 7 and 8, which are of somewhat different construction. The carrying member 1" is provided with occlusal pressure lingers f), in Fig. 1, and the extensions 1 terminate in the dental. arc i-shaping lingers Said carrying nember is also provided with a shaping how 4:, as in Fig. 1. In the embodiment Fig. 2, the bow 4rconnects the extensions 1 near their pressure fingers 3 and thus assists in determining the positions of the latter, and, consequently, the pressure which they exert.

9, Fig. 2, represents a suspending hook which may be provided in any suitable numbers to prevent the movement of the appliance gingivally, which is particularly important where there are parts of the appliance which might otherwise be forced into the inter-cuspal notches sul'liciently to cause separation of the teeth.

The gripping member 2 comprises the lingual bulge embracing portion 10, the connecting men hers 11, and the gripping claws 12. The claws 12 extend from an intermediate point in the closed loop 13 on the gripping side of the device. According to the form of anchoring grip shown at 7, the lingual bulge embracing part is provided by claws 14E extending from the intermediate portion 10 of the closed loop on the lingual side, while the gripping side of this anchorage comprises the closed loop 13 connected by the side members 11 and carrying the gripping claws 12, as described in connection with the anchoring grip 2. The anchoring grip 8 employs the embracing loop 10 and the connecting members 11, but the gripping claws 15 on the outer side extend directly from the connecting members 11. It thereby provides the open-face anchoring grip. In each of the forms described, the

lingual bulge embracing portion extends even though the entire appliance is left free for. removal from the mouth of the patient at will.

The pressure how i may serve as a carrying member and this part, well as the carrying member 1, may be provided with the hooked pressure fingers 16 biased, re spectively, anteriorly and pcsteriorly in the direction of the dental arch and brought into engagenrnt wi h projections 17, preferably at diametrically opposite points on the band 18 which is cemented to a tooth to be rotated. The projections 17 are inclined to radii of the band 18, so as to prevent displacement of the pressure fingers while permitting the pressure fingers to be freely slipped into position or intentionally removed therefrom in putting the appliance into or taking it out ofthe mouth.

1. In orthodontia appliances, an anchor ing member having lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts in position to overlie the intercuspal notches, and gripping parts comprising claws adapted to enter the embrasures beneath the approximal bulge on the buccal or labial. half of the tooth.

2. in orthodontia appliances, an anchoring member having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts in position to overlie the inter-cuspal notches, and gripping parts comprising claws adapted to enter the embrasures beneath the approximal bulge on the buccal or labial half of the tooth; said lingual bulge embracing part comprising a closed loop deflected gingivally from the connecting parts.

3. In orthodontia appliances, an anchoring member having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts in position to overlie'the inter-cuspal notches, and gripping parts comprising claws adapted to enter the embrasures beneath the approximal bulge on the buccal or labial half of the tooth; said lingual bulge embracing partcomprising a closed loop deflected gingivally from the connecting parts; and there being a carrying member connected with said anchoring member through the medium of said closed loop.

4. An orthodontia appliance comprisinga carrying member, and posterior and anterior anchorages for said carrying member; each of said anchorages comprising a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts overlying the inter-cuspal notches, and gripping claws entering the embrasures beneath the approximal bulges on the buccal or labial halves of the teeth. 1 i

5. An orthodontia appliance comprising a carrying member, and posterior and anterior anchorages for said carrying member; each of said anchorages comprising a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts overlying the inter-cuspal notches, and gripping claws entering the embrasures beneath the approximal bulges on the buccal or labial halves of the teeth; the posterior anchorage members having closed loops on the outer anchoring grip, said anchoring grip com-g pr1sing a lingual bulge-embracing loop secured on said carrying member, a pair of claws and connecting members between said claws and said loop, said claws extending to and engaging with the buccal or labial side of a tooth.

7. In an orthodontia appliance, a carry ing member, a plurality of anchoring members each having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts and gripping parts; in combination pressure members biased to move posteriorly and'anteriorly in the direction of the dental arch, and a tooth band having projections receiving said pressure members whereby axial rotation of a tooth will be developed.

8. In an orthodontia appliance, a carrying member, a plurality of anchoring members each having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts and gripping parts; in combination pressure members biased to move posteriorly and anteriorly in the direction of the dental arch, and a tooth band having projectionsreceiving said pressure members; said projections being located at diametrically opposite points on said band whereby axial rotation of a tooth will be developed.

9. In an orthodontia appliance, a carrying member, a plurality of anchoring members each having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts and gripping parts; in combinationa pressure member biased to exert pressure in the direction of the dental arch, and a tooth band having a projection in position to receive said pressure memberv whereby axial rotation of a tooth w1ll be developed, Y i

10. In an orthodontia appliance, a carrying member, a plurality of anchoringmembers each having a lingual bulge embracing part, connecting parts and gripping parts; in combination a pressure member biased to exert pressure in the direction of the dental arch, and a tooth band having a projection on the intermediate portion, said claws extending a'nteriorlyand posteriorly from'said intermediate portion, andengaging with the lingual half of the tooth.

12. In an orthodontial appliance, in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip;-said anchoring grip comprising a closed lingual bulge-embracing loop, an intermediate connecting portion between said loop and said member, and a pair of claws secured to said loop on the labial or buccal side of the tooth, said claws extending anteriorly and posteriorly from a point on said loop situatedoppositely to said intermediate portion. 7 I

13. In an orthodontial appliance, in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a closed lingual bulge-embracing loop, an intermediate connecting portion between said loop and said'member, and a pair of claws on the intermediate portion, and another pair of claws securedto said loop oppositely to said first claws; said claws extending anteriorly and posteriorly from their securing points, one pair of said claws engaging with the lingual and the other pair with the buccal or labial half of a tooth.

14:. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a closed lingual bulge-embracing loop, an intermediate connecting portion between said loop and said member, a pair of anteriorly disposed claws on said loop and a pair of posteriorly disposed claws on said loop, one

claw in each pa1r engaging on the lingual side, and the other claw on the buccal or labial side of the same tooth.

15. In an orthodontial appliance incombination, a carrying member and an open distal surfaces of the buccal or labial half 16. In an orthodontial appliance incombination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part circumscribing the occlusal end of the tooth and an intermediate connecting portion between said circumscribing part and said carrying member and a pair of claws on the intermediate portion, embracing the tooth in the lingual embrasures.

17. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part circumscribing the occlusal end of the tooth and an intermediate connecting portion between said circumscribing part and said carrying member, and a pair of claws secured to said circumscribing part on the labial or buccal side of the tooth, said claws extending anteriorly and posterio-rly from a point on said circumscribing part opposite to said intermediate portion.

18. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth, and an intermediate connecting portion between said surrounding part and said member, a pair of claws extending anteriorly from said intermediate portion and said surrounding part, and another pair posteriorly, to enter respectively, the mesial and distal lingual embrasures, two of said claws impinging on the mesial and distal surfaces of the lingual half of the tooth at different level. from that of said surrounding part.

1). In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth and an intermediate connecting portion between said surrounding part and said carrying member, a pair of claws secured to said surrounding part on the labial or buccal side of the tooth, and another pair of claws on the lingual side, one claw of each of said two pairs of claws extending anteriorly and the other posteriorly from a transverse plane through the axis of said intermediate portion, two of said claws entering the buccal embrasures and impinging on the mesial and distal surfaces respectively of the tooth at different level from that of said surrounding portion.

20. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end. of the tooth and an intermediate connecting portion between said surrounding part and said member, two claws, extending from said intermediate portion, one anteriorly and the other posteriorly, and entering respect vely the mesial and distal lingual embrasures and thereby impinging against the mesial and distal surfaces of the lingual half of the tooth, two claws secured to the surrounding part on the labial or buccal side of the tooth, one of said last named claws extending an teriorly and the other posteriorly from the transverse plane through the axis of said intermediate portion and said last named claws entering the buccal embrasures and impinging respectively, on the mesial and distal surfaces of the tooth at different level from that of said surrounding part.

21. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying memberand an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth, said surrounding part being attached to the carrying member and having secured to it on the lingual side two claws extending one anteriorly and the other posteriorly to embrace the lingual half of the tooth.

22. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth, said surrounding part being attached to the carrying member and having secured to it on the buccal side, two claws extending one anteriorly and the other posteriorly to embrace the buccal hall of the tooth.

23. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth, said surrounding part, being attached to the carrying member and having two claws secured to it on the lingual side and two claws to the buccal side, two of said claws extending anteriorly and the other two posteriorly and embracing the lingual and buccal half of the tooth respectively.

24. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a part surrounding the occlusal end of the tooth, said surrounding part being attached to the carrying member and having four claws secured to it near the entrance oi": the four embrasures, two of said claws extending buccally from the point of attachment and two lingually; each of said claws turning upon itself, cervically and then toward the central line of the dental arch so as to enter the embrasure and impinge on the gripped tooth at a point below and almost to the point of contact.

25. In an orthodontial appliance in combination, a carrying member and an anchoring grip; said anchoring grip comprising a portion having two double ended parts overlyin the normal contact point, the four ends of which parts extend buccally and lingually and turn upon themselves first, cerrically and then toward the central line of the dental arch, so as to enter the embrasure and impinge on the gripped teeth at a point below and almost to the point of con- Washin'gton, District of Columbia, this 14: tact-fend pzlilrts to ble connected by an (31%11- day of September, 1912. sion rom t e over ying arts aroun the 3 surface on one side of the o zzclusal end ofthe WILLIAM ERNEST WALKER 5 tooth, by means of which the grip is at- Witnesses:

tached t0 the carrying member. HERVEY S. KNIGHT,

The foregoing specification signed at EDWIN S. CLARKSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five centseach, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

